World Shorebirds Day

Today is the fourth annual “World Shorebirds Day”. This week, counts are underway globally, taken while shorebirds are in migration. Many of the species we encounter in Southern Canada and in the Continental USA are only seen during migration, as they summer in northern latitudes. Shorebird populations are down for more than 50% of shorebird species. Loss of habitat is a major concern, particularly along migration routes. The following photograph was taken yesterday at the West Perth Wetlands (Ontario) and shows from left to right: a stilt sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs and greater yellowlegs.